Author's note: Hello, back again! So I know I said I would update last week, but I had some expected medical issues I needed to take care of first. Anyway, here is chapter six, and I hope you enjoy! No characters belong to me except my MC, all rights belong to Warner Bros. Happy reading!

It wasn't until two days later that Vivienne finally awoke. During this time Ominis and Sebastian barely left her side, taking shifts so the other could sleep, always promising to wake the other if there was any change. And finally, their efforts were rewarded.

Vivienne groaned. Her entire body felt heavy, sluggish. For several moments she struggled to open her eyes, caked with grit. She heard voices, growing steadily louder as the cobwebs of her mind faded. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking repeatedly to clear her vision. Above her, a wooden ceiling swam into view, instead of stone. She could actually hear the song of the birds, and she was lying in a comfortable bed, instead of on a hard stone floor. Feeling the need to sit up, Vivienne tried to push herself up onto her elbows, but her arms wouldn't support her weight and she fell back onto the bed with a soft grunt. Immediately, someone was in front of her, and it was the most wonderful sight she had ever seen.

"Oh, thank Merlin. Omi, she's awake!" Sebastian was wearing quite possibly the biggest grin she had ever seen, although it was marred by the fact, he looked completely exhausted. Ominis came forward, also smiling, though he too looked like he could use a month's worth of sleep.

"Om-Ominis? Seb-Seb-bastian?" Vivienne choked out. Her voice was rough, and it hurt like Hell to speak. Sebastian immediately came closer, gently placing an arm around her shoulders.

"Shh, don't talk now. Save your strength. Would you like to sit up?" Vivienne nodded and allowed Sebastian to gently pull and lean her forward, piling pillows behind her. Once she was comfortable, both boys sat on the edge of her bed. Sebastian cupped her cheek in his hand whilst Ominis took both of her hands in his own and gently kissed her knuckles.

While she had slept, many of her cuts and gashes had closed, and were now healing. Her bruises were also starting to yellow and fade. While she was still far too thin, she looked a great deal better. "Although," Sebastian thought, his smile fading a bit. "She isn't fully healed yet. She still has a long way to go."

"We can't tell you how happy we are to see you awake Vivienne. You gave us quite the scare for a moment." Ominis said, bringing Sebastian back to the conversation.

Vivienne, trying to ignore the sudden heat in her cheeks, opened her mouth to speak but was suddenly bent over, racked by a coughing fit. Sebastian rubbed her back soothingly, still not liking how much he could feel her spine. Ominis meanwhile sprang up and fetched the pitcher of water and a goblet from the top of the dresser.

"Here, would you like some water?" Nodding eagerly, Vivienne all but snatched the cup from Ominis's hands, still coughing. Shaking his head, Sebastian gently took the cup from her. "Slow down, if you drink it too fast, you'll get sick. Now, small sips. Nice and easy."

Vivienne, coughing having subsided, glared at him but did as she was told. She relished the feel of the cool water as it slid down her parched and sore throat. After draining the goblet three times, she took several, shuddering breaths.

"Better?" Ominis asked, taking the goblet back and setting it on the bedside table. Vivienne nodded. She did feel better. Sort of…

With a sniffle, she reached out and took each of the boy's hands in her own. They both looked at her in unison, concerned. "You…you di-didn't…. for-forget me. Y-y-you came f-for me." And suddenly Vivienne was sobbing; great, soul-wrenching cries that tore into Sebastian's heart.

He looked at Ominis, who was listening to her cry her heart out, looking as though he might also burst into tears. As though he could feel his stare, Ominis turned to Sebastian, and gave a small nod.

At this encouragement, he then gently pulled his hand from her lax grip, before bending and gently scooping her up into his arms. He then sat back down on the bed, legs crossed and rearranged Vivienne in his lap, placing her head against his shoulder, and carefully wrapping his arms around her. Ominis reached out and took hold of her hands again, rubbing them soothingly.

"Of course, we didn't forget you," Sebastian murmured, leaning his cheek upon her head. "We could never forget you. We were going out of our minds with worry." "Were just happy we found you and got you out of there; we both only wish it had been sooner." Ominis added softly.

"I-I-I was beginning to l-lose h-h-hope." Vivienne gasped, tears still pouring down her face with no end in sight. "He-he told me I-I-would n-never see either o-of you a-a-again…"

"What?!" Sebastian snapped. He felt the beginnings of anger course through him. How could he say that to her, to his own daughter? Sebastian looked at Ominis, who looked as angry as he felt. However, he continued to rub her hands, his touch gentle.

"We're so-so sorry Vivienne. If we had known…" "We never would have let that happen." Sebastian finished. "I-I-am so-so-sorry t-too…" Vivienne mumbled, turning her face into Sebastian's neck. Both boys now looked confused, their anger abating for the moment.

"Sweetness, what on Earth are you apologizing for?" Sebastian asked, pulling her back slightly to peer into her face. Her normally warm grey eyes were bloodshot and puffy, her face swollen from tears. "I-I- didn't believe i-in you. In e-either of y-you… I tho-thought you had abandoned m-me." Vivienne's cries renewed then, and she went back to hiding her face against Sebastian's neck. She slid her hands out of Ominis's grasp and fisted them instead in Sebastian's shirt. Far from being hurt, Ominis patted her back for a moment before standing.

"I'm going to get Sirona. Sebastian, have her take her potions once she calms down a bit." He left the room then, knowing that they needed a moment alone.

Sebastian started rocking her back and forth, one hand rubbing circles in the small of her back, the other carding through her hair. "You have nothing, nothing to apologize for." He whispered, tightening his hold on her ever so slightly. "We should have known something was wrong the moment we didn't hear from you; I should have known. I'm so sorry it took me so long to get to you, Sunflower."

Vivienne hiccupped, her heart fluttering as he called her by the nickname he had given her last year; the one he had stopped using when he started avoiding her. She didn't realize how much she had missed it until he said it again.

Sirona and Ominis came back in, though only for a moment. Sirona expressed she was happy she was finally awake, then left to make them all something to eat. Ominis went and sat by the fireplace, to give his two friends space, but to be there in case he was needed.

Vivienne's sobs gradually subsided as Sebastian continued to hold her, the warmth of his body bringing her a sense of tranquility. She let herself be lulled almost asleep before Sebastian suddenly stopped his rocking motion, jarring her slightly. She leaned back a little to look at him, suddenly wary. Was he going to push her away again?

Sebastian looked down into her lovely face; her normally pale skin was a brilliant pink, tears still clinging like dew on her dark eyelashes. Her slightly upturned nose was scrunched in worry, and her full lips were turned down in a slight frown.

Sensing her worry, Sebastian merely chuckled. "You need to take your potions Viv. Then you can have a good meal and rest a bit more."

Vivienne couldn't help but sigh a bit in relief, though it ended in a hiss of pain. Her hand flew to her side, where the marks of the Cruciatus Curse still throbbed.

"Are you in much pain?" Sebastian said softly, covering her hand with his much larger one. Vivienne nodded; her eyes tightly shut. Sebastian could feel her body tense, and she seemed to be holding her breath.

Ominis, having heard her cry, immediately went and grabbed several bottles of the various potions Henry left behind. He sat on the edge of the bed, laying them down between the three of them.

"You need to breathe, Vivi. Holding your breath will only make the pain last longer." he said, reaching out and rubbing her shoulder. Vivienne let out a long, stuttering breath, wincing as she did so. "Why…why does it hurt so much?" She hissed, grabbing onto Sebastian's and Ominis's shoulders as she tried to ride through the pain.

"You had several cracked ribs. You're still healing, so you need to take it easy. Here," Sebastian said, uncorking the Wiggenweld Potion with his teeth before raising it to her lips. "Drink this, it'll help." Vivienne gulped down the potion hurriedly, and when she was done, she took several more deep breaths, each one coming easier.

"Th-thank you…" She said, loosening her grip on the boys. "Were not through yet I'm afraid, you still got a couple more to go." Sebastian then held up the Blood Replenishing potion and the Bone-Strengthening Solution. Vivienne scrunched her nose in displeasure.

"You can do it." Sebastian said, uncorking the red one first. "Now, bottoms up Sunflower." Vivienne sighed and took the bottle. At the first sip, she sputtered and gagged. "Argh, its putrid!" She exclaimed, holding it away from her. Ominis gently grabbed it out of her hand before it could spill.

"It's medicine, you dolt. It isn't going to taste good." he said, a teasing note to his voice. Vivienne sent him a scowl. Sebastian chuckled. "Omi, if you could only see the look she's giving you right now." "No need, I can feel her eyes burning a hole through my skull." Ominis quipped back, putting the bottle back up to Vivienne's lips.

"Here, hold your nose and take it in one go. You need this potion, you lost a lot of blood when we found you." Vivienne sighed. She still couldn't entirely remember what exactly had transpired back at her father's house the other night, but that could wait until later. Pulling a face, she plugged her nose with one hand and downed the potion with the other.

It truly was disgusting, and Vivienne had to stop herself from retching once she had finished it. "That's a girl, good job." Sebastian said, and though he hadn't meant it that way, Vivienne found his tone rather patronizing

"Id like to see you try to drink this bile." She said grumpily. "I'll have some with my afternoon tea then." Sebastian retorted, still smiling. Ominis meanwhile shook his head at his friends antics, though he was pleased to see some of the old Vivienne returning.

Vivienne was able to take the other potion without gagging, and afterwards she felt much better. She slumped against Sebastian, who was still sitting behind her on the bed. Sebastian wrapped his arms around her immediately, rubbing her forearms soothingly. They were waiting for Sirona to return with lunch, as it was now well past noon.

It was quiet for awhile, but none of them minded. That was one of the many wonderful things about their friendship; they could be together, and not have to say anything. Sometimes, words just weren't needed. It was almost as if they were back at the beginning of last year…before so much had happened…

Vivienne sighed softly, relishing in the warmth that radiated from Sebastian's body. She closed her eyes, turning her cheek slightly, so she could feel his heart beating against her ear. That familiar smell of coffee and cinnamon wafted up to her, and it was so welcome she felt like crying from sheer joy.

She had missed him so much…both of them. Both boys occupied large parts of her heart, but Sebastian would forever have her soul. She opened her eyes, suddenly unsure and a bit uncomfortable. "Why was he doing this now?" She thought. The obvious answer was that she was injured, and Sebastian was merely relieved she was alive. But…Sebastian was never the simple, obvious sort.

He was behaving as though…"As though we were courting, and had been for some time." She realized. But this thought just left her feeling more confused. Even before he had tried to alienate himself from her, he had never been this…affectionate.

Flirtatious, sure. He had been able to make her heart skip a beat and a flush to bloom in her cheeks since the moment she met him. But, though he toyed with the line of propriety numerous times, he was always respectful.

Now however, he seemed to be finding any and every excuse to touch her. Not inappropriately, but definitely in a way that made her heart flutter; like what he was doing now.

Vivienne had to admit, she rather did like the attention he was lavishing on her. But there was that small, wounded part of her that was telling her it wouldn't last; that things would return to how they were before term ended. She wasn't sure she would be able to handle that…

Then there was the fact that…Sebastian had hurt her before. And they hadn't really discussed it.

And she was scared to.

Ominis twirled the Sleeping Draft in his hands, the last potion Vivienne had to drink. Although he couldn't see, he could just imagine what his two companions looked like right now… his earlier conversation with Sebastian came to mind. He knew without a shadow of a doubt, that those two were made for each other. He had never felt two souls compliment each other so well.

"But, they need to see it for themselves." He thought. Chuckling to himself, he got up and went to open the door for Sirona, who walked in carrying a large serving tray.

"So good to see you up Vivienne. You've certainly been a sight for sore eyes." She set the tray down on the small table by the bed, smiled encouragingly at Sebastian, and left the room. Vivienne reluctantly leaned forward, already missing Sebastian's body heat.

She chanced a peek at him and saw that he too looked…equally disappointed? Giving herself a mental shake, Vivienne instead looked down at the tray set before her; pancakes, sausages, eggs and toast. Tea as well as coffee (Vivienne reached for that first but Sebastian playfully slapped her hand away) as well as…

"Are these shortbread cookies?" Vivienne exclaimed, grabbing one before the boys could stop her. She bit into it eagerly, savoring the taste.

"Mmmmm" she hummed appreciatively, as Sirona came back in, this time with two trays for Ominis and Sebastian. "Oh, how I've missed these," Vivienne said, popping the rest of the cookie into her mouth before reaching for another. "Sirona, these are as good as ever."

The innkeeper chuckled. "That's very kind of you say, but I'm afraid I didn't make these." She nodded towards Sebastian, who scowled as his face turned a brilliant pink. Winking at them both, Sirona left again.

"Sebastian… you made these?" The boy in question chewed the inside of his cheek, refusing to make eye contact as he nodded.

"They're delicious Seb! I had no idea you baked!" His face a flaming red now, he shifted around on the bed, grabbing the cup of coffee on her tray. "Its…new. I started working here once term ended. It was…the first thing Sirona taught me to make."

Vivienne chewed her cookie, her own face ripening. "And you made these…for me?" she asked timidly once she swallowed. Sebastian smiled finally. "I did. While you were still sleeping. They're still your favorite, aren't they?" She nodded, her eyes falling down to rest on Sebastian's chin. "You remembered… you even remembered the lemon glaze…"

"Well, can't have shortbread cookies without lemon glaze, now can we?" Sebastian joked, pushing her shoulder lightly with his own. Vivienne giggled, tried once again to reach for her coffee, only now noticing it was in Sebastian's hands.

"Hey! Give that back!" She said, reaching for the cup, but it was Ominis this time who snatched her hand. "Viv, the both of us know what happens to you the moment you drink coffee, and we would prefer to keep our sanity while you recover." he said, placing her hand back down.

"Good reflexes," Sebastian said, having drained the cup and instead shoved a forkful of egg into his mouth. "I try," Ominis replied, taking a bite of toast.

Vivienne pouted, reaching for another cookie when Ominis spoke up again, "No more treats until you've finished your breakfast. No matter how good Sebastian's goodies are."

Both teenagers sputtered, Sebastian nearly spitting out his food as he choked, while Vivienne pounded on his back, not looking at either of them. Smirking, Ominis took a sip of his tea. They really were clueless…

The rest of the meal was eaten in somewhat embarrassed silence, (except for Ominis, he just sat there smugly) and when they were done, Ominis charmed the empty trays to float up and towards the door.

"I'll take these back to Sirona. Vivienne, drink your potion. Sebastian…behave." And with that he left the room, leaving the other two behind. Shaking his head, face still red, Sebastian uncorked the potion bottle.

"Here, you still need rest. I'll wake you when its dinnertime." Vivienne took the bottle and raised it to her lips but stopped.

"When did you start working here? What happened in Feldcroft?" She asked. Sebastian, who was busy rearranging her pillows, stopped and fidgeted awkwardly.

"I…um… sold the house in Feldcroft." He admitted, sitting back down on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees. Vivienne scooted closer to him, potion still in hand.

"When I had returned…" Sebastian continued, suddenly very very aware of Vivienne's presence. "I realized…there was nothing for me there. Nothing but a broken past, and no future. So, aside from a small box of trinkets, I sold the lot and came here." He looked down at his hands with a pensive expression.

"Sirona was kind enough to let me work here, and even stay here until term starts again" "So, this is your room?" Vivienne asked, looking around. It was spacious, with the sitting room on one end, and an area to bathe in the other. It was somewhat plain, as there were no pictures on the walls, and the décor was minimal. But it was cozy. It was with reddening cheeks that Vivienne realized that she had actually been sleeping in Sebastian's bed.

She scrambled to get to her feet, getting tangled up in the blankets as she did so. Sebastian sprang up the moment she did and caught her before she could do more damage to herself.

"Have you gone mental? Just what are you doing?!" He snapped as he gently pushed her back onto the bed. Vivienne would have snapped back but was hit with a sudden dizziness at her sudden movements.

"I…I.. I didn't realize," She muttered, cheeks still pink and eyes fliting to anywhere but at him. "I…I can sleep there, you know. You can take this bed." She motioned to the cot over by the fireplace and made to stand up again, but Sebastian's firm hand on her shoulder kept her in place.

"No, you sit right there. I have no issues with the camp bed, and Merlin knows you need the rest." He looked at her somewhat irritably, not happy with her escape attempt.

"Thank you." She said, looking up at him through her lashes. "For saving me. For bringing me here. For…everything."

Sebastian gave her a small smile. "You don't need to thank me, you know that." He returned to his spot on the bed beside her. She returned the smile, scooting closer to him again. Sighing, he reached out and gently pulled her closer, so her head rested against his shoulder. He in turn leaned his head against hers, her hair pillowing his cheek.

"But I do owe you an apology." he said, reaching with his other hand for her own. Vivienne opened her mouth to protest, but Sebastian shushed her.

"No, I do. I…I acted like a complete arse at the end of term. You had just been through something terrible, and I- "

"You were going through something too." Vivienne interjected softly. Sebastian shook his head, lifting it off her and fixing her with a serious stare.

"That doesn't excuse it. Even though you had just fought a battle for your life, and had lost someone dear to you, you still managed to smile and carry on, and try to be a friend to me, to comfort me. And all I did was turn you away…" He looked down at their joined hands, his voice becoming thick with emotion.

"I…I hurt you. Ominis too. I was selfish, I was cruel, and I was blinded. Blinded by hate, blinded by my mission to cure Anne… and I…"

"Its alright Seb. I'm honestly just glad that you're here. I missed you so much…" Vivienne leaned against him again, letting her full weight press against his side. Despite being quite astonished, Sebastian wrapped his arm around her shoulder again, his fingers grazing her upper arm.

"I missed you too…more than you know." He replied, his hand still trailing up and down her arm.

"Even still…I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I wasn't by your side at Fig's memorial. I'm sorry that I never even bothered to ask you if you were ok after your fight with Ranrok. And…and at the scriptorium…"

Sebastian tried to swallow the lump in his throat, feeling hot tears pricking his eyes. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He turned to look at her then, and Vivienne swore her heart stopped at his broken expression.

"I…I am so, so sorry that I used the Cruciatus Curse on you. Truly. I regretted it the moment it happened, but I got so distracted…" He closed his eyes, suddenly unable to look at her. Vivienne leaned into him more, their knees touching. She reached out and gently wiped away a tear that had fallen down his cheek.

He turned his green eyes to her grey, his breathing becoming heavy. "I…I never even asked if you were ok," He choked out, giving a small sniffle. "I should have. I have so, so many regrets Vivienne, but hurting you in that way…has been my biggest."

Vivienne was stunned. She had never seen him like this before, so open and vulnerable. Not when he killed his uncle, not when Anne had forsaken him…

Without giving it a second thought, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him toward her. Sebastian responded immediately, lifting her and placing her in his lap again before gently pulling her as close as he was able. He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply. Oh, how he had missed her scent…

Pulling back slightly, he ran his hand down her cheek, over the bruises that marked her, and gently over the column of her throat. Swallowing thickly, he said with a shaking voice "There was a moment there… that I thought…I was going to lose you." He tightened his hold on her ever so slightly, not wanting to hurt her.

"I was so scared…and I realized that there was so much I had never said to you, so much I needed, and still need to atone for. The thought of losing you, of not having you in my life…" Here he found he could no longer look her in the eye; instead, he tucked her head underneath his chin, looking up at the ceiling.

"There would be no more reason for me to be here."

Vivienne gasped. "But…Anne and Ominis…" "Anne wants nothing to do with me, and Ominis…" He paused, then sighed. "Ominis would miss me, I'm sure. But I've caused him enough pain that he would eventually forget me. Ans I would deserve nothing less."

Vivienne scowled, and she pulled away from him to look him square in the eyes. "Sebastian Sallow, I don't ever want to hear you speak of yourself in that manner again, do you hear me?" He gaped at her, surprised at her sudden anger.

"Of course, Ominis would miss you. Anne will miss you. If you died, I would miss you. Don't you ever think that we wouldn't, or so help me I will curse you until your arse falls off and your mouth grows in its place!"

Vivienne continued to glare at him for a moment before resuming her place nestled in his embrace. Sebastian for his part had the good grace to not respond to her comment. "Ill have to tell Ominis about it later," He mused to himself.

There was a beat of silence before Vivienne said softly, "You may continue with your apology." Sebastian chuckled, and Vivienne could feel it as well as hear it.

"Vivienne…I honestly cannot tell you how sorry I am, for how I treated you. I just…" he paused, sighing deeply. "I didn't know how to process all that had happened. I know it isn't an excuse, and I know that throughout it all I took advantage of you, but…if you could find it in your heart to forgive me…"

He leaned back again, cupping her cheek in his hand. "I will do everything in my power, to make things right with you." Vivienne looked into his eyes, seeing nothing but sincerity. She smiled, already knowing her answer.

"Seb, of course I forgive you. There is nothing to forgive." She smiled at him reassuringly, but Sebastian looked completely dumbfounded.

"You…you do?" He asked. Vivienne raised a brow. "You…didn't want me to forgive you?" she asked slowly. Sebastian shook his head.

"No of course I do! It's just that… after everything I did… all the pain I put you through…"

"I know the meaning behind it." She cut him off. "Yes, it hurt, but not forgiving you, not having you in my life…would have been impossible to weather."

Sebastian was floored. He had half expected to need to beg on his hands and knees to earn her forgiveness, and would have done it gladly. But now, seeing her bright face, wounded but smiling, made his heart clench with emotion.

"How…how can you forgive me so easily?" he asked now, wanting to understand.

Vivienne hid her face in his shoulder. "You should know why by now…" She mumbled. She wasn't sure she wanted this conversation to go in this direction. They had just been reunited, freshly reconciled, and as wonderful as that felt, she was still healing, both physically and mentally. She wasn't sure she could suffer an emotional blow as of now.

Sebastian pondered her words as his heart pounded in his chest. Was this… what he thought it was?

But at the moment it didn't matter. Ominis's words ran in his head; "Take the time while she's here recovering to apologize, and try to show her the Sebastian that wants to love her. Then, you can tell her." As much as he wanted to pursue this further, it was not the time. Hugging her closer for a moment, he inhaled her sweet scent of lavender and chamomile before letting her go, though he still held her by the shoulders.

"You really should get some sleep. We can talk more later." Vivienne looked up at him through her lashes, secretly relieved. She needed time, and she really was exhausted…

She finally brought the sleeping potion to her lips and drank. It wasn't nearly as foul as the other ones, but it still wasn't what she would call tasty. Immediately her eyes began to droop, and her head felt heavy. So she let herself lean against Sebastian, using him as a pillow.

Chuckling a bit, Sebastian gently laid her back down onto the soft mattress, pulling the blanket up to her shoulders. She blinked up at him slowly, trying valiantly to fight back sleep.

"You'll stay?" She whispered, her eyelids lost the battle, and they fluttered closed. Sebastian leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her cheek.

"Of course, I'll stay." He whispered, sitting beside her. He would stay no matter what.

Author's note: Hello again! And can I just say I love the banter between these three! I tried o make it as effortless as possible, and I do hope I did a good job. Anyway, chapter seven will be a bit of a doozy, so stay tuned! Hope you enjoyed, and please leave a comment or review, it really helps. See you next time!